Housing funding boost announced

The cash, awarded by regeneration agency Communities Scotland, will also pay for the demolition of old housing and community safety projects.

Falkirk Council received the bonus after proving its commitment to meeting 2015 housing quality targets.

Meanwhile, Perthshire residents have been asked how they want £1.3m, awarded under the same scheme, to be spent.

The Falkirk award will provide 106 new homes for rent and low-cost ownership, under a partnership with the council and local housing associations.

Additional resources

Poor quality, unwanted properties will also be knocked down and the move also aims to create jobs and training opportunities for local residents.

Falkirk housing convener Pat McCafferty, said: "I welcome these additional resources to improve housing estates in the council's priority areas."

The improvements include the demolition of 66 flats and four shops in Langlees.

A total of 34 new homes will be built and sold through shared-ownership and the Homestake shared-equity scheme.

A development at Grangemouth's Wood Street will also see 34 new homes for purchase through Homestake and shared-ownership and 37 homes for rent through the Link housing association.

In Perth and Kinross, residents will get a say on how to best to spend their funding, although play areas and facilities for young people are already under consideration for the Hillyland, Letham, Rattray, and Muirton areas.

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